Sky is limit for Eagles ILB Kendricks

His play on and possibly off field is worth watching.

June 18, 2014|By Nick Fierro, Of The Morning Call

PHILADELPHIA — — Mychal Kendricks is quick to say he's always going to be around the football because of his speed and the way he's built.

He's not quite as forthcoming when it comes to being around Rihanna, the pop star who last January tweeted how much of a crush she had on the emerging Philadelphia Eagles linebacker. After practice at minicamp on Wednesday, Kendricks sheepishly refused to confirm or deny any contact with her.

With his helmet on, he's been much less shy, as he proved repeatedly throughout his first two seasons in the NFL.

Despite being moved from the strong side to the weak side in their 4-3 alignment as a rookie in 2012, then inside in the 3-4 they switched to last year under coach Chip Kelly and defensive coordinator Billy Davis, his production just continued to improve steadily.

Now, like so many others who are entering their second year in the system without having to make any more position switches, Kendricks senses he is destined for better things this year, which is significant when you consider the plays he made in 2013.

Kendricks finished with a team-adjusted total of 137 tackles, which included four sacks. He also intercepted three passes, recovered four fumbles and forced another.

Seems like he's found his niche inside, next to DeMeco Ryans, the nine-year vet who is essentially connected to him via a USB port, having uploaded all of his knowledge directly into Kendricks' mind.

All that's left is for Kendricks to process everything.

"I played in a 3-4 before, so I understand the basic concepts," Kendricks said. "And even in my first year, when they switched me from the strong side to the weak side, that helped me out. So the transition's been good."

Kendricks played at a borderline All-Pro level in his final eight games of last season. It was during that span when he accumulated 80 of his 137 tackles, all four of his sacks, two of his interceptions and his forced fumble.

Inside linebackers coach Rick Minter views that as a starting point for this season.

"He made great strides, particularly from let's say the halfway point of the season last year," Minter said. "Things began to click in, like it did with so many other guys. As his game elevated, coinciding with everyone else's game, we began to click as a defense.

"We ask a lot of him from a skill nature. He's our dime linebacker in our nickel package, so he always has the duty of covering your [Antonio] Gates and all those kind of heavy duty [tight ends]. … As long as he's still growing as a professional, as long as we keep DeMeco beside him, he's free to play. I don't want to burden him down with anything more than we have to. Maybe a year or two from now, that becomes a different charge."

A high-strung player, Kendricks makes his mistakes at 100 miles per hour, which is what the coaches want most when their players miss. Because of that, he can sometimes still recover to make a play.

Minter admitted that ideally they would have liked a second thumper just like Ryans to play inside, but Kendricks' ability was too good to be kept off the field. Now, mostly because of the flexibility Kendricks and Ryans provide against the pass, they wouldn't have it any other way.

"Without me having to substitute, I've got nickel or base on the field every down," Minter said. "And we're really glad it's worked out that way, to be honest with you. We couldn't stand just two thumpers when you have to adjust out and cover [the pass]."

Because the Eagles are expected to have the same defensive front and all the same linebackers handling most of the snaps again this season, Kendricks knows he has the potential to take his career to a platinum level.

Like Rihanna's.

"It's a hundred times, a hundred times better [than last year at this time]," Kendricks said. "We're so [much further] along than we were last year. It's the second year with the same guys, same coaches, and it's a good thing.

"We've been making good use of our practice time. I do like where I'm at now."

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks has become quite the playmaker for the Eagles since being drafted in 2012. His play has impressed his coaches as much as his looks have impressed pop star Rihanna. Here's a look at the pops he's made as a pro:

2012: 88 tackles, one sack, 11 pass breakups.

2013: 137 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions.